About the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) provides planning services, economic development services and multiple initiatives for six counties and 84 communities throughout central Alabama. Annual dues provided by the member governments of these counties and communities make it possible for the RPCGB to provide valuable resources. These services and initiatives are innovative and far-reaching. Read More

Recent Content Updates

Transportation Planning

Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the group of local, elected officials, transit operators, and state officials who are responsible for the coordination of a planning process that results in a Long Range Plan (25 year) and a short term (five year) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).Read More

The Heart of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (HARPO) is responsible for transportation consultation in Blount, Chilton, St. Clair, and Walker counties. Members of HARPO include local and state government officials as well as representatives from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).Read More

Other Information

Community Planning

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham's Community Planning Department provides community planning services for the Member Governments of Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker Counties. The Community Planning Department seeks to develop viable places by promoting integrated approaches to planning for the betterment of the communities the RPCGB serves. Read More

Economic Development

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham's Economic Development Department operates as the service provider for the U.S. Department of Commerce's designated economic development district (EDD) and the Appalachian Regional Commission's local development district (LDD) for the six-county area. Read More

Data & Maps

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Data & Maps, program of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham offers a wide range of mapping services to member governments. GIS utilizes spatial data to better manage and analyze the physical characteristics of local jurisdictions and serves to create greater efficiencies for city services and decision making.Read More

Health

Medicaid Waiver

As an alternative to nursing home care, the Medicaid Waiver Program provides services to seniors and the disabled while allowing them to live in the comfort of their own homes.Read More

530 Waiver

530 Waiver is a program designed to allow individuals, 21 years or older, who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS that are at risk of nursing home placement to remain in their homes as long as possible.Read More

Initiatives

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham provides two major initiatives that promote the benefits of reducing miles on our roads and improving air quality in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.Read More

The CommuteSmart helps alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Visit Site

APCA is an affiliation of organizations working to improve air quality in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Visit Site

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) is teaming up with several partners to create Pop-Up Project. Visit Site

News

News

March SmartCode Update

March 7, 2011 11:09 AM

SmartCode is an effort by dedicated professionals to develop a responsive form-based unified development code. The SmartCode section of "Connections" intends to inform our member governments of new concepts in regulatory code. This month we examine emerging influences that inform the need for and the makeup of evolving codes.

Anyone with municipal responsibilities was paying attention to the statistics released February 24th by the U.S. Census Bureau. At an individual level, municipal officials examined gains and losses of population.

Interestingly, there are numbers within the numbers, patterns within the information collected over time through the census. There are several factors that will begin to have a dramatic effect on the demand for housing; one of those factors is the aging population.

Housing and development demands will morph in response to changing demands. Households with children will drop from 45 percent in 1970 to 27 percent in 2030. Households without children will rise sharply; aging baby boomers will be the majority. Three million people turn 65 each year. The aging population contributes to the lower demand for home ownership. The propensity for home ownership slows as people age. At the national level, home ownership rates have declined from a high of 69.2 percent in the second quarter of 2004, to 67.3 percent in the first quarter of 2009. The home ownership rate of those aged 45 to 55 went from 77 percent to 74.6 percent in the same time span. The home ownership rate of those aged 55 and older went from 82.4 percent to 79.8 percent in that same period.

As the economy emerges from the recession the nation's approach to home ownership will evolve. In coming months we will continue to examine the aspects that impact community development and discuss regulatory changes in response to the evolving market.

If you have SmartCode questions, please contact Steve Ostaseski, Richard Amore or Philip Amthor at the RPCGB. Steve may be reached by phone at 205.264.8422. Richard may be reached by phone at 205.264.8447. Philip may be reached by phone at 205.264.8421.